"You know where we're kept That's a politer word than imprisoned. We don't call it Handicap Haven; our name for it is the _junkpile_. And to ourselves we're junkmen. Does this give you a clue to how we feel? "I don't know what you'll have to do to force the Medicouncil to grant their permission. We appeal to you as our last resort. We have tried all other ways and failed. Our future as human beings is at stake. Whether we get what we want and need is something for you to settle with your conscience." He nudged the switch and sat down. His face was gray. "I don't like to bother you," said Jordan, "but what shall we do about them?" Docchi glanced at the telecom. "They" were uncomfortably close and considerably more numerous than the last time he had looked. "Take evasive action," he said wearily. "Swing close to Earth and use the planet's gravity to give us a good push. We've got to keep out of their hands until people have time to react." "I think you ought to know--" began Cameron. There was an odd tone to his voice. "Save it for later," said Docchi. "I'm going to sleep." His body sagged. "Jordan, wake me up if anything important happens. And remember that you don't have to listen to this fellow unless you want to." Jordan nodded and touched the controls. Nona, leaning against the gravital panel, paid no attention to the scene. She seemed to be listening to something nobody else could hear. That was nothing new, but it broke Docchi's heart whenever he saw it. His breath drew in almost with a sob as he left the control room. * * * * * The race went on. Backdrop: planets, stars, darkness. The little flecks of light that edged nearer didn't seem cheerful to Jordan. His lips were fixed in a straight, hard line. He could hear Docchi come in behind him. "Nice speech," said Cameron. "Yeah." Docchi glanced at the telecom. The view didn't inspire further comment. "That's the trouble, it was just a speech. It didn't do you any good. My advice is to give up before you get hurt." "It would be." Cameron stood at the threshold. "I may as well tell you," he said reluctantly. "I tried to before the broadcast, as soon as I found out what you were going to do. But you wouldn't listen." He came into the control compartment. Nona was huddled in a seat, motionless, expressionless. Anti was absent. "You know why the Medicouncil refused to let you go?" "Sure," said Docchi. "The general metabolism of accidentals is further from normal than that of creatures we dredge from the bottom of the sea. Add to that an enormously elongated life span and you ought to see the Medicouncil's objection." "Get to the point!"